POLICE in riot gear were locked in an hour-long stand-off with a woman who threatened to kill herself with a knife.

Dramatic scenes unfolded in Blackburn Road near to the Tramways Hotel in Astley Bridge yesterday afternoon.

Officers cordoned off part of the area as motorists and passers-by stopped to watch negotiations between the woman and police.

Squads first got a call at around 4pm when it was reported a member of the public was threatening to kill herself. She was also reported to have a knife.

At the height of the drama, eight police cars and an ambulance were called to help deal with the situation. Officers wore stab vests and carried protective shields as they tried to coax the woman, though to be in her 30s, out. She was eventually led from the house by specially trained negotiating officers and taken to hospital by paramedics for a check-up. It is understood she suffered minor cuts.

A police spokesman said: "Police were called to the flat after concerns about the womans welfare.

"Officers were in protection gear as a precautionary measure in case the woman harmed herself and they had to engage directly with her. She did not threaten to harm anyone other than herself."

No charges will be brought against the woman.